Cassis by Chef Mavro - New Restaurant Downtown Chinatown

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Cassis by Chef Mavro - New Restaurant Downtown Chinatown
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HONOLULU - Cassis by Chef Mavro, a second restaurant by James Beard award-winner George Mavrothalassitis, opened Monday, April 30, 2007 at 66 Queen St., Harbor Court, in Chinatown. The cuisine is familiar down-to-earth bistro classics with a contemporary Hawaii regional spin. Reservations can be made by calling 545-8100 or from the website www.cassishonolulu.com.

"This restaurant is inspired by four places - Cassis, Honolulu, Paris and Alsace," says

Chef Mavro. Overlooking shimmering Honolulu Harbor, the 295-seat casual eatery exudes a tropical urban vibe.

The much-anticipated menu includes French bistro specialties - Island style! Rotisserie Chicken hulihuli style, plum wine sauce, with Chef Mavro's famous garlic Kahuku creamed corn and braised swiss chard; and Steak Frites, black angus bavette, Manoa lettuce and curried fries; and Grilled Day-Boat Catch, spinach, ogo-herb sauce.

"I have such a top culinary team working with me and we've had fun creating these menus: Ben Takahashi, executive chef of Cassis; Kevin Chong, chef de cuisine at Chef Mavro; Nolan West, formerly of Chef Mavro and now executive sous chef of Cassis. And we're lucky to have a fantastic pastry chef Cherilynn Chun who has perfected such flavorful desserts such as li hing mui Tarte Tatin," explains Mavro.

Personally designed by famed Hawaii designer Mary Philpotts McGrath, who won the ASID award for her design of Chef Mavro restaurant in 1999, in collaboration with her daughter Marion Philpotts Miller. Mary Philpotts laid out the vision: "This design is about different energies coming together - water, sky and light." Co-designer Marion Philpotts Miller elaborates: "It's a celebration of the harbor view. The color is a rich bold blue, high contrast light and dark. The colors of the sea. A night sky. The vibe is hip and fresh."

66 queen street honolulu hawaii 96813 808-545-8100 www.cassishonolulu.com

Lowell Barnhart and Brian Shuckburgh created the innovative lighting design which incorporates projected "light art" on two accent walls in the restaurant. Barnhart went on to custom handcraft a series of stunning aerial discs each unique. "I wanted the kinetic sparkle of gently moving discs of color underlaid with gold, silver and bronze with strikes of color over them. It's about taking risks to create an elevated élan!" He relates that he was inspired by the kinetic life of the harbor, the road and people, the shimmering lights on the water, reflections of the sun or the moon; the boats and the ships."

The Cassis wine bar offers "pupus and wine pairings" and a full bar with wines of the week, cocktail specials, and pupu samplers Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. Also groups of up to 50 can reserve a semi-private dining room. "This harbor view space works beautifully for lunch and dinner business meetings," comments Jon Chadwick, restaurant director.

The name: Cassis was chosen because George Mavro's first restaurant was in Cassis, a picturesque harbor village on the Mediterranean near the seaport of Marseilles, France.

Mavrothalassitis is also chef/owner of Chef Mavro restaurant (www.chefmavro.com), on S. King and McCully, which was recently acclaimed as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in the World (Fodor's). "Of course my flagship Chef Mavro restaurant will continue exactly as it is right now." said Mavro.

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Cassis by Chef Mavro - New Restaurant Downtown Chinatown

First Friday Hawaii
News Item